Ball joint



G. H. HUFFERD ET AL BALL JOINT Filed Oct. 26, 1928 July 18, 1933.

Patented July 18, 1933 UNITED GEORGE 1-1. nnrrrinn AND MATTHEW P;

i 1 TO THOMPSON PRODUCTS, INC., 013' CLEVELAND, OHIO, ALGORPORATIQN OHIOBALL JOINT Application filed October 26, 1928.. saw No.1315,203,

' This'invention relates to an improved self adjustingball joint and hasspecial reference to joints suitable for the tie rods anddrag links ofthe steering linkage of automotive vehicles, shock. absorber links andthe like.

The general ob provide an inexpensively manufactured ball joint whichwill be self adjusting to compensate for wear without altering thecenter distance or length of the tie rods.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a ball joint of theclass described the parts for which can be constructed from stampedsheet metal without weakeningor otherwise detracting from theserviceabillty and durability of the complete tie rod.

It is another object of this invention to provide an indian pipe type ofball joint having a minimum end clearance wherein renewable ball seatmembers are vertically slidable on renewable inclined surfaces adaptedto maintain the seat members in close contact with the ball, the tie rodin effect hanging from the ball and being held in its lowermost pposition by a spring adapted to both. assist in the adjusting movementand to hold the tie rod against rattling on the ball.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparentfrom the disclosures in the specification and accompanying drawing. V

The invention (in a preferred form) is il lustrated on the drawing andhereinafter more fully described.

On the drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a ball jointembodying the features of this invention.

Figure 2 is a section on the lineII-II of Figure 1. t

Figure 3 is a section similar to Figure 1 wherein the ball seats andball are shown in elevation.

Figure 4 is a vertical section on the line IVIV of Figure 3.

As shown on the drawing:

A cylindrical ball joint housing 10 is shown with an extension 11 atright angles to the side of the housing, this extension-being welded tothe end of a tie rod intermediate section is provided with anfinturnedupper fl nect of this invention is to GRAHAM, or nnrnorr; MICHIGAN; miosa .12. Teaming/paper i praeaayaaa forming aj shoulder atthfi 'GQPI i i1 .l llr drical bore 14., 1

initially formed in alignment with thebore The bottom115 ofthebore is inf pe from tu stock and i 14 and is later spun over a closure disc 16 toretain the parts in place in the bore, as

shown in Figures 1 and 3.

A ball stud 17 carries a which passes throughv the central opening 19 inthe flange 13 and is seated in spherical bearing surfaces .20 stamped inplates 21 which ride on the inclined edges 22 of segmental shells 23fitting the cylindrical bore 14. The plates 21 and shells 23 may bothbeeconomically stamped from sheet metal. The

ball is on its the segmental shells have thin edges formed in a planeinclined with respect to the axis of forming oppositely disposed wedgeswhich converge towards the top so that the weight of the tie rod,supplementedby the action of a coil spring 24 disposed between the lowerpart of the ball 18 and the disc 16, serves to .1

push the ball and ball seat plates 21 upward- 1y into the wedge shapedspace between the V 1 tities at comparatively small cost due to thesimplicity of the forming operations required for the production of themajor parts 1 We are aware that numerous details of construction may bevaried through a wide range 6 without departing from the principles ofthis invention, and we therefore do not purpose limiting the-patentgranted, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

We claim as our invention:

ball stud, a housing for the ball end thereof, said housing having acylindrical bore with an inturned radial flange at the top thereof,

wedge like segmental shells of sheet metal fittingwithin the cylindricalbore, and hav 1. A ball joint connection comprising M the curved outingsurface of the shells,g,thus :7 V

ing edges defining oppositely disposed inclined surfaces relative to thecylinder axis, ball seat members of sheet metal having sphericalballseat bearings formed therein to partially envelop the ball end, saidmemedgesdefining oppositely disposed inclined surfaces relative to thecylinder axis, the big endsof said shells bearing against the radialflange, and ball seat'members of sheet metal having spherical ball seatbearings formed therein to partially envelop the ball end, said membershaving extensions adapted to ent gage and slide upon the inclinedsurfaces of said shells, and means for urging the ball and ball seatmembers towards the big ends 'of the segmental shells whereby to take uplooseness in the ball joint.

3. A ball joint connection comprising a ball stud, a housing for theball end thereof,

members fixedly positioned Within said housing and having oppositelyinclined flatsurfaces, separate ball seats having segmentalsphericalbearing surfaces for receiving saidball and having extensions thereofadapted to engage and slide upon the inclined surfaces of said members,and means urging a said ball seat members into closer bearing engagementwith said ball; and the inclined flatsurfaces of said members.

GEORGE" 'HUFFERD; MATTHEW- P; RAHA

